During the summer of 1760 Fragonard stayed at the Villa d'Este at Tivoli. Inspired by the beauty and picturesque neglect, the young artist turned out many red chalk views of the lovely old gardens. This rare gouache is a reduction of his painting of the same subject now in the Wallace Collection, London. It is not possible to identify the precise spot depicted here since the artist's view is generally impressionistic and perhaps based on his recollection of the Dragon Fountain.

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The programs of The Morgan Library & Museum are made possible with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.